The Bayelsa State Government has placed a ban on all tribal and ethnic-based traders’ associations. saying such associations can no longer operate in Swail and other markets within Bayelsa State.
The Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the announcement when he received a report from the Swali Market Conflict Resolution Committee at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo therefore, directed the State Commissioner of Police to enforce the ban.
He stated that henceforth, any person who violated the order should be arrested.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Ewhrudjakpo said the market should be a place for trading.
He emphasised that markets should not where people promote their tribes or reduce trading activities to issues of ethnicity.
His words: “I think what is happening at the Swali Market is a failure from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment.
“It is because of the compromise of the leadership of the Ministry, with due respect to them, that is why they have this problem.
“So I think it is an issue of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment not being able to provide leadership, either as a result of leadership ineptitude or compromised leadership that takes sides.
“There are a lot of reports of compromise about the Ministry.
“The Honourable Commissioner for Information will make the formal announcement: All tribal traders associations in that market is hereby banned – no Isoko traders association; no Urhobo traders association; no Igbo traders association, and no Ijaw traders association, and others not mentioned here.
“All such existing tribal associations are hereby banned in all our markets across the state. None should exist. The Commissioner of Police and other law enforcement agencies of government are hereby directed to arrest anyone or group parading themselves as such.
“If anybody goes there and start to say I am the chairman of Igbo Traders Association, Swali branch, government would take on you. That is not recognized by us. All those association are banned and they remain banned.”
Presenting the report, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, the Chairman of the Swali Market Conflict Resolution Committee, identified unhealthy politicization of the traders associations and inordinate ambition by various interests to control revenues being generated at the Swali Market as causes of the crisis.